EL PASO, Texas – Freshman
Makayla Navarro ripped a single through the right side with one out in the top of the seventh to cap a three-run rally and clinch a 6-5 win for the FIU softball team in its series opener at UTEP on Friday night in El Paso.
The Panthers (22-26, 8-14 CUSA) trailed the Miners 5-3 entering the seventh following a four-run spurt for UTEP in the bottom of the sixth – that flipped a 3-1 FIU advantage.
FIU responded however with a three spot in the seventh.
Ashton Lansdell started the comeback with an RBI double to left center that plated
Hanna Johanning and trimmed the deficit to 5-4. Senior
Madison Lewis followed with a single up the middle to score Lansdell and tie the score at 5-5. Navarro followed two hitters later with a single to score Lewis and put the Panthers ahead for good at 6-5.
Sophomore right fielder
Brooke McCann made a game saving defensive play in the bottom of the seventh when she reached over the outfield wall to take a would-be two-run homer away from UTEP's Caitlyn Brockway.
The Miners (11-32, 2-20 CUSA) took the lead in the sixth on the strength of a two-run homer by Brockway, a run-scoring single by Ajia Richard and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Rylan Dooner.
UTEP took the games first lead on an RBI groundout in the third before the Panthers scored three in the fourth to open a 3-1 edge.
Carmen Perez drove in a pair of runs with a single to center and freshman
Kaleena Downing brought home Navarro on a squeeze play, giving FIU a 3-1 lead.
Navarro finished 3-for-4 at the plate to lead the Panthers, while adding a run and the game-winning RBI. Freshman
Ella Whitney added a pair of hits and a total of eight FIU players recorded at least one hit.
Freshman
Megan Kruger (7-6) picked up the win in relief for the Panthers after tossing 0.2 innings of scoreless relief. Starting pitcher
Sydney Birling went a total of 5.2 innings and returned in the bottom of the seventh to record the final out and earn the save.
UP NEXT
The Panthers continue the three-game set at UTEP with the middle game on Saturday, May 6 at 5 p.m. ET.
Each game of the series at UTEP will be broadcast on CUSA.TV.
TICKETS
For more information on FIU Softball season and individual tickets, including student ticketing, call 305-FIU-GAME or visit the
FIU Athletics Online Ticket Office.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow the Panthers on Instagram
(@FIUSoftball), Twitter (
@FIUSoftball), and Facebook (
Facebook.com/FIUSoftball) for all the latest FIU Softball news.
